The 50th annual parade, which was held on Columbus Drive between Balbo and Monroe Drives, was as much a parade of political candidates as it was a show of Italian-American pride. Between blue and white campaign signs, many business people and community groups wore red, white and green sashes and waved miniature Italian and American flags.

Before stepping off to march in Chicago's parade, Mayor Richard Daley blasted New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg for inviting two actors from "The Sopranos" TV show to participate in New York's version of the parade.

"It would be like going to the St. Patrick's Day Parade and bringing a drunken Irishman with you," Daley said. "I think it's an insult to the Italian-American community, to be very frank."

About 50,000 people attended the Chicago parade, according to Cindy Gatziolis, spokeswoman from the Mayor's Office of Special Events, and Italian-Americans didn't hesitate to show their cultural pride.

Jacob Martinez, 23, shook Blagojevich's hand, too, but he wasn't fazed. "He's just doing it for votes. I'm not going to vote for him," said Martinez, who couldn't vote for Blagojevich in any case because he lives in Richmond, Ind.